Seasonal Allergies, commonly referred to as Hay Fever, cause runny noses, itchy eyes, sneezing and nasal congestion – symptoms that are easily treated with antihistamines and decongestants compared to colds.
Symptoms usually manifest themselves during certain seasons when trees, grasses and weeds release odorless pollen into the air to fertilize other plants and cause the immune system to overreact by producing histamines. This triggers symptoms in susceptible individuals.
Symptoms
Seasonal allergies typically manifest themselves through symptoms like itchy and watery eyes, runny or stuffy nose and itchy, itchy throat. They occur when trees, grasses and weeds release pollen into the air to fertilize other plants, with people allergic to pollen viewing these tiny particles as threats and responding by releasing chemicals, including histamine into their bloodstream and creating symptoms in response – thus creating seasonal allergies symptoms.
Seasonal allergies, more commonly known by their medical term allergic rhinitis or hay fever, affect millions of Americans each year. Their symptoms typically begin in spring and continue through to autumn when pollen releases into the air; but not everyone experiences similar reactions; some may suffer more severe reactions than others.
People suffering from seasonal allergies frequently also have asthma, which is often triggered by pollen or other allergens and manifests itself with wheezing and shortness of breath. Furthermore, they may develop sinus infections as well as itchy and watery eyes.
At the same time each year, allergy symptoms tend to surface around the same time and for an extended period. One way of diagnosing allergies is taking antihistamines to see if they help relieve symptoms; if that does work then consult your physician about skin or specific IgE blood testing to identify which allergens cause your distress and devise strategies to avoid or treat them effectively.
Diagnosis
Allergies can be difficult to diagnose. While over-the-counter medicines may provide temporary relief from symptoms, if your symptoms continue to persist and cannot be mitigated with medicines alone it’s time to see an allergist.
Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, develop when pollen from trees, grasses or weeds is inhaled into the air and causes it to irritate nose, throat and eye tissue. They typically appear during spring time before worsening through summer and fall when blooming trees, grasses and weeds produce higher pollen counts and pollen counts are highest.
Other symptoms may include itchy skin, ears and eyes; sneezing; stuffy or runny nose; coughing and wheezing are often seen among asthmatic individuals, while itchy throat itching can result in difficulty swallowing. A rare few may also have more serious allergies called Urticarial (hives), which could even prove fatal.
Allergy tests can help identify allergens that trigger hay fever symptoms. A skin test, in which small drops of allergen-diluted urine are placed onto an arm or back and observed for any reaction, is the most frequently used allergy test; another measure measures immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against certain allergens – these tests can detect seasonal as well as perennial allergies; other than that it also can detect dust mites, pet dander and cockroaches irritants like dust mites dander and cockroaches year round; blood tests to measure IgE levels may also be less reliable than skin or urine tests when measuring IgE levels;
Treatment
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, it’s essential that you know when pollen levels in your area are highest so that you can take steps to minimize exposure. Consult with your physician on what might be the best treatments options available to you.
An allergist may recommend allergy testing to determine which allergens are triggering your symptoms. Skin tests involve applying small doses of allergen to the skin and watching for reactions; if red itchy bumps appear after exposure to it, this indicates an allergic response to that substance. Blood tests provide further insights into which allergens exist within your system and can usually be conducted in laboratory conditions.
Allergy medication may help relieve allergy symptoms. Antihistamines, decongestant nasal sprays and eye drops are among the many available for treating allergies, along with nasal corticosteroid sprays such as flonase (Flonase), budesonide (Benadryl) or triamcinolone (Nasacort) can reduce inflammation in nasal tissues and airways; they’re available over-the-counter or by prescription. Mast cell stabilizers prevent histamine release which leads to inflammation of nasal tissues and airways as well as irritation of both nose and eyes.
Immunotherapy treats allergies by gradually increasing exposure to allergens, helping your body adapt and stop reacting negatively. Immunotherapy treatments include injections (allergy shots) or sublingual immunotherapy tablets taken under-the-tongue; both options can significantly reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms for three to five years.
Prevention
Avoiding contact with substances to which you are allergic is the key to combatting seasonal allergies. An allergy specialist can identify which allergens trigger your symptoms through skin or blood tests; once this information is available, work with your Nice Healthcare clinician on strategies for minimizing them such as avoidance, over-the-counter medication and immunotherapy (allergy shots).
Allergens that cause seasonal symptoms vary based on your location and time of year, but pollen tends to be the main culprit, though other airborne pollutants like perfumed products, wood burning stove smoke or fireplace emissions, paint fumes or cleaning fumes could also have an adverse impact.
Many people assume a cold and seasonal allergies are interchangeable, however this is simply not the case. Reacting to substances is different than experiencing an allergic response; colds are caused by viruses while an allergy reaction results from your immune system responding as though a harmless substance were harmful.
People suffering from seasonal allergies often experience itchy eyes, watery nose, runny nose and sneezing, among other symptoms. To alleviate their discomfort, antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays should be taken at the first sign of symptoms to relieve congestion in your sinuses and clear away irritants from sinus passageways. Saline rinse (nasal wash) may also be effective at helping clear away sinus irritants and relieve congestion.
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